Tháng 4 năm này, mình sẽ leo núi MachuPichu ở Peru với anh bạn. Hai bà vợ không đi nên cũng đỡ lo. Cuộc hành trình sẽ kéo dài 7 ngày 6 đêm. Leo tổng cộng 46.7 dậm hay 75 cây số. Gồm 6 đêm cắm trại trong lều trên núi, và đi bộ 7 ngày đường lên đỉnh Machu Pichu, có cao độ trên 2,400 mét. Xem hình thấy tuyết đầy, chắc lạnh.
Mình có xem một phim tài liệu về núi Everest. Thiên hạ leo lên đó như đi chợ, kẹt đường. Lý do là họ không cấm, cần xin phép nên ai có tiền là trả cho các toán du lịch để có người dẫn đi.
Ở đây thì phải xin phép trước. Mỗi năm chính phủ chỉ cho phép bao nhiêu người được đi lên dãy núi này để tránh tình trạng, phá hủy môi trường. Mình thấy núi Everest, toàn là rác do du khách quăn đầy đường mòn leo lên đỉnh. Thật ra ít ai lên đó được vì quá cao nhưng trả tiền để leo lên vài dặm, chụp hình tỏa sáng, câu Like là vui rồi và xả rác. Cứ tưởng tượng mỗi ngày có cả chục ngàn du khách, lên đó mà không có nhà cầu, thùng rác thì hỏi du khách làm sao. Chán Mớ Đời
Mình và anh bạn, trả tiền từ năm ngoái nên cuối năm vừa rồi mới có giấy phép leo lên đây vào tháng tư 2022. Mỗi thứ 6, mình và anh bạn sẽ tập leo núi. Chỉ tiếc dạo này có tuyết trên núi xung quanh Quận Cam nên không leo được vì nguy hiểm. Chỉ tập gần gần nhà, hy vọng tháng 3 tan tuyết sẽ leo lên cao hơn. Mình mới xem lộ trình thì thấp hơn các núi ở Cali mà mình đã leo. Đồng chí gái không chịu được cảnh ngủ lều, nếu không thì mụ leo lên được.
Leo núi này mình chọn Salkantay Tour. Họ kinh nghiệm bao nhiêu năm và sẽ có người vác ba lô cho mình lên núi. Như thực dân khi xưa, sang Việt Nam, kêu người thượng gánh đồ lên núi Đà Lạt. Đây mình chỉ leo và mang theo bình nước để uống, còn lều chỏng gì và nấu nướng thì có đội quân của công ty du lịch lo. Chỉ có ráng sức leo lên. Mỗi ngày trung bình 15 cây số, độ 9 dậm. Bà cụ mình mấy năm trước leo núi ở Nhật Bản với mình đến 9 dậm mỗi ngày.
Họ sẽ đi trước mình để cắm lều, nấu nướng sẵn, đợi mình leo đến thì cho ăn, tắm rữa, chui vô lều ngủ. Xong om.
Có thể tháng 2 mình sẽ lên chương trình tập luyện 2 lần một tuần rồi tháng 3 lên đến 4 ngày một tuần và tháng tư sẽ chơi nguyên tuần để chán quen leo không mệt. Trước khi lên đường. Mình phải đến Cusco trước độ 2 ngày để làm quen với cao độ, cao gấp mấy lần Đà Lạt. (3,400 mét), độ cao của đỉnh Baldy mà mình đã leo lên 2 lần năm ngoái. Cho nên bớt lo. Thật ra cũng không cần, chỉ mỗi tuần một lần cũng được. Mình lên vườn, nên leo đồi ná thở rồi, không cần tập nhiều.
Tháng 6 thì mình sẽ leo đỉnh Whitney (14,515 bộ cao độ, cao hơn 4,000 bộ Cusco, Peru) mà năm ngoái không được đi vì tiểu bang Cali ra lệnh đóng các công viên quốc gia để tránh nạn cháy rừng. Ai tò mò thì xem youtube sau đây.
Tour Location: Inca Trail and Salkantay Trail – Epic 7 day Hike to Machu Picchu
Tour Type: Hiking, camping, adventure, history, culture
Total Distance: 46.7 miles/75 km
Good For: Experienced hikers
Difficulty: Quite challenging
Considerations: Permit required
From <https://www.alpacaexpeditions.com/inca-trail-expedition-salkantay-7d6n/>
Hành Trình cho 7 ngày 6 đêm, hơi mờ
- Day 1: Cusco –Marccoccasa – Sorapampa
Your Inca Trail or Salkantay Tour starts with your Salkantay Trek Tour Guide, Chef, and Porters picking you up from your hotel (Must be located in Cusco) at 4:30 a.m., and you will drive two and a half hours to the trailhead, Marccoccasa (3,300 meters). You will meet your horseman and horses, and have some time to prepare for the day and enjoy your breakfast. You will experience views of the Andes, lush green valleys, and beautiful waterfalls. Today will be moderate in difficulty, but one of the longer days of hiking. There will be a gradual uphill climb lasting about three and a half hours until lunch. After lunch, the hike will be less of an incline and more relaxed walk.
The views along the Salkantay vs Inca Trail change drastically as you go. The trailhead is all green, lush valleys, but in the afternoon, you will be right at the foot of the Humantay snow-capped mountain. You will also experience a temperature drop from warm to cold. Be sure to have your warm jacket, and gloves in your daypack for the cold afternoon. After arriving at the Soyapamapa campsite (3,800 meters), your team will welcome you and provided warm drinks and dinner.
Elevation: From 2,900 to 3,800 m (leo lên 900 mét cao độ)
Walking Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
Considered: Moderate
Weather: Warm to hot - Day 2: Sorapampa – Humantay Lake – Ichupata
You will be woken up with hot drinks and breakfast to prepare for the Salkantay Tour. After you prepare for the day, we will show you the alpines micro-climate, and amazing views of the high glacier peaks. They are considered to be the highest peaks around Cusco and the father of the other mountains by many Andean people (Apus means God). You will begin a two-hour climb to the most beautiful blue lake, located at the bottom of Humantay glacier mountain. It’s believed that the Incas used to hold celebration ceremonies for the God of water and the Apus, that surround this peaceful place.
You will then begin your return to the main trail and continue towards your lunch spot at Salkantay Pampa. It will be time to depart from the Humantay peak and enjoy the views of a higher mountain, Salkantay Mountain (6,215 m). You will arrive here around 1 p.m.and enjoy lunch. After lunch, we will have a two hour, steep climb to our second campsite, at Ichupata or Pampa Japonesa (4,200 m). Today will be a cold day of hiking, so be sure to have your jacket, warm hat, sunglasses, and gloves in your day pack. At the campsite, you will be welcomed by your porters to enjoy hot drinks and dinner. Tonight is the perfect night to spot the constellations and the views of Salkantay peak. This site is the closest camp to Salkantay, so it may be possible to hear some avalanches. However, do not let this scare you since they are not close to us. This campsite is the highest, so it should be a cold night, close to zero degrees Celsius.
Elevation: 3,500 – 4,300 meters (leo lên 800 mét cao độ)
Distance: 13 km / 8 miles
Considered: Moderate to difficult
Weather: Cold - Day 3: Ichupata – Inca Chiriasca Pass – Inca Canal
After tea and breakfast, it will be time to embark on the most challenging, yet rewarding hike, to date. Your guide will lead you up the Inca Chiriasca pass (5,000 meters high), at a steady pace to see the marvelous views of the glacier mountains. Once you have reached the top, there will be hot coca tea, view of the valley and lakes, and even birds like condors and falcons.
Following, you will start descending, or you may take an optional hike to a glacier, which only takes 30 minutes. Afterward, we will continue trekking to your lunch spot, where your porters will be waiting with the traditional hot tea and delicious lunch. For the rest of the day, you will walk downhill, through lush green valleys and winding streams, before reaching your campsite, in a little village of 10 families.
Elevation: 4,300 – 5,000 meters, then to 3,750 meters ( leo lên 700 mét cao độ rồi đi xuống 1,250 mét cao độ)
Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles
Considered: Difficult
Weather: Cold - Day 4: Inca Canal – Pauccar Cancha – Wayllabamba – Ayapata
This day will give you a rare glimpse into the past as you wander through hillside paths, used by traditional Peruvian farmers, living the same way since the time of the Incas. Then, you will arrive at the famous Inca ruins, where your tour guide will provide you with some background on the Incas. After the ruins, your tour guide will point out new and different vegetation, as you move into the high, jungle micro-climate.
Finally, you will reach the classic Inca Trail, where your porters will serve you lunch. The afternoon’s hike will be all uphill until we reach our campsite. Be sure you have your camera ready, with fully charged batteries, as you never want to miss this opportunity to capture the magnificent views of the mountains and enchanting natural waterfalls in the cloud forest.
Elevation: 3,750 – 3,000 meters, then to 3,300 meters (đi xuống 750 mét cao độ rồi lên lai 300 mét cao độ)
Distance: 14 km / 8.6 miles
Considered: Moderate to difficult
Weather: Cold in the morning, warm in the afternoon - Day 5: Ayapata – Warmi Wañusca- Chaquicocha
Today will be the longest but most breathtaking day of the Salkantay Tour, with it including the Inca ruins and the cloud forest. After an early breakfast, we will start with a two-hour climb uphill in the Puna area. The Andean Ichu is a dry place with little vegetation, but you can see llamas here. When we reach the peak of Dead Women´s Pass (4,200 meters high), you will have some time to rest and enjoy the glacier peaks and spectacular mountains, nearby. Afterward, we will start descending on the rock-paved trail towards our lunch spot. Along the way, you will be able to observe Orchids and other flowers.
Please try to walk slow and be cautious of nature. This section is a perfect spot to watch hummingbirds. After lunch, we will begin climbing uphill for two hours to reach the second peak. Halfway through your journey, you will visit the Inca ruins, called Runcu Raccay.
This place has been said to function as a watchtower from its oval shape and position overlooking the valley. After crossing over the second peak (4,000 meters high), we will start descending for one hour to the lake called Yanaccoha, where the Incas organized ceremonies for the Goodness of the water. Then, you will arrive at the famous cloud forest and also one of the most beautiful Incan ruins called Sayacmarca. Sayacmarca is where you can observe the original Inca houses, water fountains, water channels, and the most spectacular views of the valley.
After the ruins, it will take you about 30 more minutes to reach our campsite, called Chaquicocha. Once again, you will have an opportunity to see different types of flora and fauna since you will be in the high jungle.
Elevation: 3,300 – 4,200 meters (the pass), 3,600 meters (the lunch) and again, 4,000 meters (the pass), 3,600 meters (the camp) (leo lên 900 mét cao độ, rồi xuống 600 mét cao độ rồi leo lên 400 mét cao độ rồi xuống 400 mét cao độ)
Distance: 16 km / 9.9 miles
Considered: Difficult
Weather: You will experience the four seasons, all in just one day - Day 6: Chaquicocha – Phuyupatamarca – Wiñay Wayna
Today is the most relaxed day of the Salkantay tour. In the morning, you will have views of the surrounding Andes Mountains, and the Pumassillo mountain glacier peaks. There will only be about five hours hiking, including the three Inca ruins on the way to our campsite. The first ruins are called Phuyupatamarca (cloud level-town) and are two hours from the campsite. It is impressive to observe the lovely platform and houses where the Incan nobles studied astronomy. The second set of ruins are on the hillside among terraces. It was perhaps an Incan agricultural experiment station.
You will also have views of the sacred valley, and the river of Urubamba. Finally, you will reach the last campsite, called Wiñay Wayna (2,600 meters), where you will leave your day packs and walk for five minutes to reach the most beautiful Incan ruins, along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This place is close to a village where you can enjoy the beauty of the water channels, terraces, and temples, and learn about the religious ceremonies that used to occur here.
After lunch, you will have an opportunity to take a hot shower, followed by a free afternoon to explore the most beautiful Inca site, Wiñay Wayna. Later in the afternoon will be your last happy hour and dinner, topped with a small presentation from your porters to say a final goodbye. They will head back to Cusco the next day, while you continue your journey to Machu Picchu.
Elevation: 3,600- 2,600 meters (xuống 1,000 mét cao độ)
Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Considered: Warm and humid - Day 7: Wiñay Wayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco
Today is the most important day of your Salkantay Tour, as you will wake up earlier than usual. After breakfast, you will walk two more hours to Machu Picchu, where you will pass through the Sun Gate to experience some spectacular views of the stunning mountains, valleys, rivers, and the Incan ruins. Once you arrive, your tour guide will inform you about Machu Picchu for two hours. After, you will have time to explore by yourself. Be sure that you visit all the sacred places like the temples, palaces, and the famous Inca bridge. When you are ready to make your way back to Aguas Calientes, there will be buses that depart regularly. This bus is about 30 minutes. After spending time in the town of Aguas Calientes, you will need to be at the train station 30 minutes before our train departs back to Cusco.
Walking Distance: 5 km /3 miles (đi bộ 5 cây số đến Machu Pichu)
Note: Before the government enforced the new legislation about protecting the Inca Trail, horses were the main transport to carry equipment from the trail head to Wayllabamba. Since they banned the horses, we have replaced them with out porters (on the Classic Inca Trail). You will have the same tour guide and cook throughout your tour. All meals are prepared on site, so that you will always have fresh food.
From <https://www.alpacaexpeditions.com/inca-trail-expedition-salkantay-7d6n/>
- Huayna Picchu: Huayna Picchu is the mountain that stands next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45-minute hike to the top. Going back down is quite steep if you are scared of heights. You would do this after your tour of Machu Picchu. The cost is $75. Arrangements need to be made at least one month in advance due to popularity. Please understand that the weather is out of our control. (Phần này mình đang xin để đi thêm cho thoả mãn máu giang hồ).
